Cataclysm Video: New Water Effects

As many of you know the water texture ingame is getting an overhaul in the upcoming Cataclysm expansion. Now that the NDA has been lifted we have a short video clip of the new water effects. You can literally see the reflection of items on the surface of the water and it is leaps and bounds better than the current water textures.

OWKblue의 댓글

Skwidspawn의 댓글

when the water level actually changes along the shoreline I'll care, otherwise it's just silly looking.

JelleJelleJelle의 댓글

on 2010-07-01T19:29:01-05:00

Just changing water fx doesn't make it look any better overall.

There's still lack of polygons in character 3D models and actual landscape (including objects etc.)

Basically the whole game looks crappy nowadays (compared to other games), except for (incoming) water fx and spell effects.

I would've liked a completely new graphic system in WoW somehow, but I suppose Blizzard's either too lazy to do something like that or they think it'll become too hard for computers to run it, which makes the game less playable for some people and therefore they'll lose subscribers.

GVHB의 댓글

on 2010-07-01T19:32:51-05:00

Just changing water fx doesn't make it look any better overall.

There's still lack of polygons in character 3D models and actual landscape (including objects etc.)

Basically the whole game looks crappy nowadays (compared to other games), except for (incoming) water fx and spell effects.

I would've liked a completely new graphic system in WoW somehow, but I suppose Blizzard's either too lazy to do something like that or they think it'll become too hard for computers to run it, which makes the game less playable for some people and therefore they'll lose subscribers.

How do Blizzard lose subscribers by allowing a broader amount of computers to run the game? Oh, I see the people who only play a game because of the graphics, they will not be missed.

JelleJelleJelle의 댓글

on 2010-07-01T19:39:28-05:00

How do Blizzard lose subscribers by allowing a broader amount of computers to run the game? Oh, I see the people who only play a game because of the graphics, they will not be missed.

Broader amount? How does a game that's harder to run on a PC become a game running on a higher quantity of computers? That doesn't make any sense.

Also, it's not just about the graphics, obviously, but all I'm saying is that they could've at least put more effort into making the game look better and more realistic.

OWKblue의 댓글

on 2010-07-01T19:42:36-05:00

How do Blizzard lose subscribers by allowing a broader amount of computers to run the game? Oh, I see the people who only play a game because of the graphics, they will not be missed.

Broader amount? How does a game that's harder to run on a PC become a game running on a higher quantity of computers? That doesn't make any sense.

Also, it's not just about the graphics, obviously, but all I'm saying is that they could've at least put more effort into making the game look better and more realistic.

They cant. They have too many accounts with older computers. Gotta wait for WoW2 for what you want.

GVHB의 댓글

on 2010-07-01T19:45:04-05:00

If they improve the graphics of WoW, people who have crappy computers won't be able to run the game. Thus, Blizzard will lose costumers, it is true that WoW graphics are not the best nowadays (but they aren't the worst either).

Better graphics can lead to less costumers. A complete revolution in the graphics of the game can cost Blizzard part of it player base.

JelleJelleJelle의 댓글

on 2010-07-01T19:54:42-05:00

They cant. They have too many accounts with older computers. Gotta wait for WoW2 for what you want.

Yeah, I suppose.

If they improve the graphics of WoW, people who have crappy computers won't be able to run the game. Thus, Blizzard will lose costumers, it is true that WoW graphics are not the best nowadays (but they aren't the worst either).

Better graphics can lead to less costumers. A complete revolution in the graphics of the game can cost Blizzard part of it player base.

That's exactly what I was saying man :)

Jokulhaup의 댓글

on 2010-07-01T23:06:03-05:00

They still haven't gotten smoother/natural lookin' shorelines down, but I guess I can't expect miracles.

DancingGolem의 댓글

on 2010-07-02T02:55:06-05:00

What the video also doesn't show is that there is now a frothy effect around the edges of the water, not great looking but it helps.In some areas the water is a little jarring next to the terrain, but in others like the harbor, it looks awesome with the distorted reflections

Also, what is with people and poly counts? I model and texture for a living and it's not all about how many polys! Wrath is the perfect example of how well done textures can make even a low poly model look amazing. Look at most of the weapons and gear from Wrath, not a big difference in poly count from Vanilla WoW, but leaps and bounds.

Regardless of whether you think WoW looks good or not, you have to agree that Blizzard has the best damn low poly modelers / texture artists in the industry.

Thror의 댓글

on 2010-07-02T04:32:31-05:00

Also, what is with people and poly counts? I model and texture for a living and it's not all about how many polys! Wrath is the perfect example of how well done textures can make even a low poly model look amazing. Look at most of the weapons and gear from Wrath, not a big difference in poly count from Vanilla WoW, but leaps and bounds.

You can not say the default character models are not in a bad shape. Especially compared to newer character models, like the Vrykul. The facial textures of the default characters are mostly horrible too. Seriously, look at male humans. Ever made one that didnt look like an ape? I am not experienced in 3d modelling and texturing too, even though i do not work in that department, but i do not think you need any experience to compare a model of a vanilla race to a model of a Vrykul or god forbit a Cataclysm Goblin.

Mindtraveller의 댓글

on 2010-07-02T04:34:29-05:00

I don't think I'll change my water.. looks very silly with the old terrain.